Jordan calls for UN role in Iraqi elections

Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani Mulqi called here Thursday for a leading UN role in facilitating the Iraqi elections to be held on Jan. 30.

He said at a session of Iraqi neighboring countries' conference that the interim Iraqi government should hold elections on time with participation of all Iraqis in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 1546.

The elections reflected the aspirations of Iraqi people for a prosperous and free life, said the minister, adding that achieving such a goal would also positively influence its neighboring countries.

"I have no doubt that a stable, secure and prosperous Iraq will contribute to promoting developmental goals that we all need," Mulqi said.

He also stressed the importance for all Iraqis to seize the opportunity to put Iraq back on the right track with a view to imposing the rule of law and restoring security and stability to the war-torn country.

The one-day meeting drew foreign ministers from Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Iraq and representatives of the United Nations, Iran, Egypt and Bahrain.

The upcoming Iraqi election was high on the agenda of the meeting, which kicked off earlier Thursday in the Jordanian capital Amman.

Source: Xinhua